LGUs urged to honor top women leaders in CV

CEBU, Philippines - Honoring top women leaders with distinct accomplishments and contributions to women empowerment will be one of the highlights of the Women’s Month Celebration which will start today.

Rosemarie Salazar, women’s welfare specialist of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7, said that they will be suggesting this activity to all the local government units in the different provinces in the region.

She said that in choosing the top women leaders, they will be giving the LGUs the freedom to create their own criteria in choosing the best women in their city or municipality.

This year’s theme, “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan”, underscores the need to accelerate women’s participation in governance and enhance gender perspective in upholding good governance.

DSWD-7 information officer Jaybee Binghay said the theme highlights the importance of strengthening the mechanisms and institutions that support women and to widen the arena for their participation.

She added that it is also aligned with Section 11 (Participation and Representation) and Section 29 (Peace and Development) of the Magna Carta for Women.

Aside from honoring top women leaders, the DSWD-7 with the members of the Regional Technical Working Group, will also include exposure trips of women association to different facilities and projects which have best practices of successful women.

Local government units, private sectors, partner government and non-government agencies or institutions as well as civil society groups are enjoined to initiate local activities such as seminars on women empowerment, trade fairs, exhibits, parades and motorcades, radio and TV guestings and the like to make the month long celebration memorable and more colorful.  (FREEMAN)